Kuipers will be prepared for a highly-charged and full-blooded occasion with the four meetings in La Liga and Copa Del Rey between the sides this term producing 22 yellow cards, including eight in September’s league encounter at the Bernabeu.

Madrid thumped holders Bayern Munich 5-0 over two legs in the semi-finals while Atletico beat Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea 3-1 on aggregate after a goalless first-leg.

Kuipers takes over from Italy’s Nicola Rizzoli, who was the man in the middle for last season’s final between Munich and Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

(Reuters) - The return of all-rounder Ben Stokes will be a welcome boost to the England squad as he provides much-needed balance and lifts morale, team mate Moeen Ali said ahead of the two-match test series in New Zealand.

(Reuters) - An emotional Juan Martin del Potro could barely believe he had finally won a Masters 1000 series title at the 51st attempt at Indian Wells on Sunday but is determined to keep the trophies coming in his late career renaissance.